Jonah and the Whalewatchers

Apr 17, 2003
By Kate Folsom

Jah Say Go: Jonah and the Whalewatchers have been the area''s favorite reggae band for more than a decade.

It''s almost impossible to live around here for any length of time without hearing locals rave about the Monterey reggae band Jonah and the Whalewatchers. But anyone expecting a band that sounds like Bob Marley and the Wailers is in for a surprise. The Whalewatchers'' sound, while undeniably reggae, has a unique aspect. Even the band''s Marley covers (and they mix some in) are bouncing reinterpretations of the classic songs--true to the roots, yet infused with the band''s unique melodic sensibility

The Whalewatchers are fronted by singer and bassist Alex Shirley, a thickly accented Jamaican export, and also features the classic reggae lineup: two guitars (Bill Steacy and Tracy Chesebrough) and a strong drummer (John Tallon). What makes the Whalewatchers unique is the inclusion of steel drummer Cary Lowney, and trumpeter/ percussionist Jun Tatsuoka--both of whom solo frequently. The Whalewatchers'' live show alternately sounds like a hot jam session and a carefully rehearsed set spun out of the classic Jamaican tradition.

Many people were genuinely shocked that a music writer had lived on the Peninsula for 11 years without ever seeing them. But I don''t like reggae, I said. Go, they said. You''ll like this band.

So I went, preparing to be impressed--or at least to be able to tolerate the music for long enough to get a sense of the band and what made them so supposedly great. The crowd seemed primed for a good show--both the seasoned regulars and the young, luminous hippies were in attendance. As the show kicked off, the crowd grew, and the luminous hippies alternated between sipping their beverages and dancing like fireflies to the warm beat.

The band covered the Marley classic "One Love" (a song I, reggae-non-enthusiast, have never cared for) and found a way to make it resonate even in my dubious ears. Something about the warmth of the environment, the obvious enthusiasm of the audience, and the electric energy in the air made the moment nearly perfect.

The core of the band has been together for 13 years, with Alex Shirley at the helm. "There were no reggae bands in this area," Shirley says. He spoke to some friends and fellow musicians, and Jonah was born.

The band started in the garage of a friend, practicing and playing and getting a sense of themselves as musicians. Their somewhat innovative take on reggae came to them fairly naturally.

"Reggae''s already pretty sophisticated," Shirley says, "so that''s what we try to do." The band bio, authored by Tallon, states that their music "fuses Caribbean and African beats with American jazz, blues and soul to create a very unique sound that is most often identified as reggae." Tallon also mentions calypso, soca, and hip-hop as influences.

Whatever the combination of music types the band employs, it seems to be working, as J&TW have a loyal and still-growing fan base after more than a decade. Fans who''ve been with the band since the beginning still show up to hear the band play, and new fans are won over by Shirley''s and his bandmates'' obvious enthusiasm for the music. At any show the audience is full of middle-aged women and young creatures in flowing clothing, as well as the occasional septuagenarians rocking out.

While Jonah and the Whalewatchers occasionally touch on the political subjects that are rife in the world of reggae music, the band is much more into commenting on the beauty of life. "My message is that I try to tell the crowd that they all been given a great gift by the most high Jah," Shirley says. "We try to spread that message every time we play."

- Monterey County Weekly

..."The group is straight out of the spiritual significance book of Jamaican reggae. J&WW are positive, progressive and unifying in a way rarely seen anywhere in music right now."
- by Aaron S. Birk, Music Writer




- Monterey County Weekly

There is a new CD compilation called Skankin’ Cali Style, which features tracks from California reggae groups from Calexico to the Bay Area. One track, titled "Jah Talk to Us," is contributed by local reggae mainstays Jonah and the Whalewatchers. On the tune, the band gives shout-outs to folks like Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, Martin Luther King and Haile Selassie, over horn-drenched music that sounds a bit like True Democracy-era Steel Pulse. It’s good stuff. Basically, if you have never seen this 14 year-old Monterey County institution, it’s about time.
9pm. Ocean Thunder, 214 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. No cover. 643-9169.

by Stuart Thornton


10/05/00

- Monterey County Weekly

Posted July 17, 2008 12:00 AM Rastafari Out
By Stuart Thornton
Though it might at first seem odd for Eek-A-Mouse, who performs at Salinas’ Fox Theater Saturday night, to pair Western motifs with reggae music, a closer examination of the Jamaican native’s best work reveals that it is more similar to country music’s outlaw songs than one might initially think. Like country music’s gunslinger ballads, Eek-A-Mouse’s “Ganja Smuggling” and “Rude Boy Jamaican” are story songs that detail the perspectives of individuals caught on the wrong side of the law.
Released in 1982, “Ganja Smuggling” finds Eek-A-Mouse describing a drug deal between singing strings of nonsense words. Meanwhile, his “Rude Boy Jamaican” is a portrait of a cartoon-ish gangster who: “Eat with me gun/ sleep with me gun/ even clean me teeth with me gun.”
The reggae show, which includes performances by local acts Jonah and the Whalewatchers and Michael Annotti, is a benefit concert for the Daniel Vasquez Foundation. Vasquez was a founding member of Jonah and the Whalewatchers who passed away last year after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bike on Highway 1.
Richard Vasquez, Daniel’s brother who co-founded the foundation and organized the concert, says the purpose of the show is to raise money for scholarships that the organization will then give away. “This is a benefit concert,” he says. “Every red cent of it is going to scholarships in his name.”
The scholarships will be given away to individuals who excel in areas that were important parts of Daniel’s life: sports, music, dance and healing arts. According to Richard, the foundation has already given out three scholarships of $1,000 each. A clarinet player and Gonzales High School valedictorian, Elizabeth Miller, received a scholarship for music, while David Castro, who is also from Gonzales High School, took home scholarship money for being an outstanding athlete in football, baseball and basketball. Meanwhile, San Diego’s Bill Tillman, who studies physical therapy at Mesa College, was a recipient of a scholarship for his work in the healing arts.
Richard says the foundation is looking for more than just people who stand out in one of the four areas. They want someone with Daniel’s sensibilities. “My brother was always giving,” he says. “We’re looking for that type of giving person.”


- Monterey County Weekly

DROWNING IN DEBT… When we reported on Central Avenue Bakery last October, the Pacific Grove hangout had been served a steep water bill increase for serving its (mostly organic, vegetarian) food on non-disposable dishware. The water pollution control agency later cut the bakery’s outstanding sewer fees in half, according to business co-owner Tina Thompson. But the high water bills, coupled with slower business, have driven the young bakery to near-bankruptcy, she says. Thompson expects Central Avenue to close its doors in about a month unless investors or a surge in revenue revive it. A June 6 concert featuring Jonah and the Whalewatchers will benefit the floundering café. [KA]



- Monterey County Weekly

•LOCAL BAND

JONAH AND THE WHALEWATCHERS
It’s not that easy for a local band to consistently pack the house and always compel a portion of the audience to dance. But the highly rhythmic, horn-heavy roots reggae band Jonah and the Whalewatchers manage to do this every time they play. Now, with a big win as the best local band, it’s time to tip your Rasta-colored beanie in salute to this always-great group.



- Monterey County Weekly

Friday 4|26 2002


JONAH AND THE WHALEWATCHERS Three-no, four-nice things in life to rely on: #1) caffeine; #2) certain friends; #3) the power of reggae to put you in a better mood than you were in before it started playing; and #4)Jonah and the Whalewatchers'' ability to consistently deliver #3. Monterey''s favorite and busiest reggae band takes the stage at Blue Fin to give fans what they want: reggae standards with a danceable beat, great vocals and brass.
9pm. Blue Fin Cafe and Billiards, 685 Cannery Row, Monterey. 375-7000.

- Monterey County Weekly

Not A Christmas Carol:
JONAH AND THE WHALEWATCHERS Sleigh bells ringing, chestnuts roasting on an open fire and, of course, a kick-ass reggae band setting down a solid dance beat. It''s Christmastime, so why not celebrate the season with local dubmeisters Jonah and the Whalewatchers at Cannery Row? They''ve played the Blue Fin a handful of times this year and they always draw a crowd with their original songs and upbeat delivery. If the Jamaican bobsled team can exist, surely we can celebrate Christmas with a reggae band.

9pm. Blue Fin Cafe & Billiards, 685 Cannery Row, Monterey.

This week''s Hot Picks were jingled and jangled by Alex Gilrane, Traci Hukill, Jessica Lyons and Andrew Scutro.





- Monterey County Weekly